Who still uses cash/checks anymore?

[QuarterMillionMan]

I still carry cash onhand but rarely ever use it. Everything from gasoline, to groceries, to fast food purchases I use either credit cards or debit cards. All my utilities are automatically withdrawn from my bank accounts. Do people still use primarily cash or personal checks anymore?

[kork13]

Absolutely. Yes, many people are moving to electronic-only transactions, but not everything can go electronic (yet). I use checks for paying my tithing to my church. I also use checks to give money to friends/family (although this is also moving electronic, via banking apps for smartphones that can transfer money with just an email address or cell phone number). I use cash to pay a variety of random things like parking fees, restaurant tips, or when splitting a bill with friends. I'll admit that I don't use cash/checks often (perhaps 3-4 times in a month), but I still don't like to be out and about without at least $20-$30 in my wallet just in case.

Most people honestly aren't as reliant upon electronic banking as I am. Many people don't even have a debit/credit card, or a checking account to transfer money. 100% cash. I'm not saying it's the best or easiest way to manage your money, but millions of Americans do it every day.

[PMMM]

I use checks but only to pay certain things. The caregiver for my Mother, tithing to our church and odd payments here and there. We try and charge everything we possibly can to our CC. Some items like our mortgage payment are drafted automatically from our checking account. I too carry a bit of cash around but very little. Typically $20.00 or so just so I don't feel empty handed.

[UnknownXV]

I pay rent with a check, easier than going to the ATM and withdrawing that much.

Also I usually pay cash for most food, since it hurts more than using a credit or debit card; helps me stick to my tight budget. Food is the hardest thing by far for me not to splurge on.

[Tonyall]

The people who use checks are always those in front of me in the checkout line when I am in a hurry!

[marvholly]

I use cash for all my everyday expenses: groceries, HBA, cat stuff gas, eating out, entertainment............This keeps me on budget since when the alloted amount is gone I am DONE.

I might put something on a credit card (especially gas) but I come home & put the cash aside to pay the bill when it comes.

[JoeP]

I still carry cash onhand but rarely ever use it. Everything from gasoline, to groceries, to fast food purchases I use either credit cards or debit cards. All my utilities are automatically withdrawn from my bank accounts. Do people still use primarily cash or personal checks anymore?

Be very careful with this. I prefer to "push" money to utilities, because it puts me in control, leaving the possibility of overdrawing very slim. I just don't trust handing the keys to my account to anyone.

[Thinkingdrinker]

I use checks and cash

I still use checks and cash for a couple of reasons
1. Using cash prevents impulse buying. If I have to hand over cash, it makes me think twice about buying something.
2. Using cash prevents me from spending more than I have and keeps me on budget.
3. I use checks because I think they are safer than debit cards. I think it is more difficult for identity thieves.
4. Using checks helps me to be aware of the balance in my accounts. I always write the check info in the ledger and balance the account as soon as possible.
5. I have used EFT to pay utilities, etc. and will continue but I did them on my own and not automatically. Again it makes me aware of my money and encourages me to watch my consumption of utilities.

It's old-fashioned but using cash and checks really keeps me focused and on track to save.

[Bades]

Cash - I'll use cash for small things - like if a bar had a $10 minimum and I'm only getting one drink. Or if I'm splitting a meal with someone. But not very often at all.

Checks - very rarely, basically if I owe a person money - I do use Chase QuickPay to pay a lot of people back, but for the others, I'll send a check in the mail. Only other time I use a check is if I go somewhere and I know Im going to have to pay someone back but am not quite sure what the total is going to be (splitting a hotel, vacation, etc)

Other than that everything CC! I get on average $30 back a month in cash rewards, that's $360 a year for doing nothing but using my CC...can't beat that!

[ValQue]

Do people still use primarily cash or personal checks anymore?

I rarely ever use checks unless it's an emergency. I typically have cash in my safe as emergency funds but when I'm purchasing everything in stores, restaurants, gas stations, or with other necessities, I linked up my cards to Google Wallet. I'm still getting used to it and so are all the stores I'm going to because some stores don't support this technology yet. I find it so easy to use because all of my cards are in one spot.

I'd like to say that I still use cash and checks because it just feels more personable, but I don't. I typically put all my purchases on my credit cards to get rewards. This is just another way I like to save money. I've learned the hard way not to let the balance go too long without paying for it either.

[v_keely]

I use cheques to pay my rent still.

[phantom]

Times when I still use cash:
1. When I get my hair cut - My stylist works out of her basement and doesn't take plastic.
2. In casinos - I usually don't play unless there's a free play promotion, but you usually have to put a dollar in a machine to activate the free play.
3. Random giving - I do most of my giving electronically, but if I want to drop some money in a Salvation Army kettle or if I'm visiting a church and want to give an offering, I use cash.
4. Fundraisers - Church bake sales and kids selling hoagies usually don't take plastic, so I usually pay for these things with cash.

Times when I use checks:
1. Paying taxes - The municipality won't take income taxes electronically without a hefty fee, so I always just send them a check.
2. Wedding Gifts - If I give someone money as a wedding gift, it's usually as a check inside a card.
3. Expensive Fundraisers - If I'm spending more than about $10 for a fundraiser, I often write a check instead of paying with cash. This is mostly just for my own bookkeeping. If I write a check, it's very easy for me to keep track of what it was for, and if I'm spending more than a few bucks, this is important to me.
4. Signing up for Direct Deposit - Gotta love using one check so you don't have to deal with depositing checks later

[Kircheis]

I do use a credit card for most transactions (for the cashback reward); however I still find that I use cash for small purchases (as certain merchants have a minimum amount that you have spend before you can use a credit card). I also use cash for tips. As for checks, I still use them to pay rent (as my apartment charges a large fee for using a credit card). I also have been asked for a cancelled check to setup direct deposit.

[disneysteve]

I'd say 95% of the checks I write are to our synagogue. They accept credit cards but charge a convenience fee which I'm not willing to pay. I also pay our landscaper by check. He doesn't do credit cards. I could probably pay him from online banking but never bothered. Other than that, it is pretty much all electronic.

As for cash, most of that gets used at the casino.

I'll also give our daughter cash for allowance and spending money when she is going away.

Other than that, I prefer using a rewards credit card. Now my wife is another story. She still feels weird using a credit card for a small purchase, like under $10. She prefers to pay cash despite my urging her to use the card.

Oh, the other thing I'll use cash for is gas if it gets me a substantial discount. Many stations around here charge the same for cash or credit but occasionally I'll fill up at a station that charges extra for credit so I'll pay cash.

[disneysteve]

certain merchants have a minimum amount that you have spend before you can use a credit card

FYI this is illegal. It is in direct violation of the merchant agreement with Visa/MC/Discover. They are not allowed to set a minimum purchase. If it is a place you frequent where it matters to you, contest it. Let them know that they aren't allowed to do that. Either that or you can always contact Visa/MC and report them.

See siggy_freud's post on the next page. My info is outdated.